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Bexar County 4-H’ers to receive almost a quarter-million dollars in SALE, other scholarships

published: August 20th 2010

SAN ANTONIO - Recently, State Rep.Mike Villarreal, District 123, announced that several recent high school graduates, all members of area 4-H clubs, will be receiving almost a quarter-million dollars in scholarships.
    He said $192,000 in scholarship funding has been provided by the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. with the remaining funding coming from organizations associated with 4-H and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
    Villarreal made the announcement at a press conference held at AgriLife Extension offices at 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. in northwest San Antonio.
    Naomi Miller, district director for the Office of the Speaker of the House, as well as exposition representatives, AgriLife Extension personnel and scholarship recipients and their parents were among those present at the announcement.
    "These young people have worked hard academically. They are striving to become model citizens in their communities," Villarreal said. "We hope these scholarships will help them further their education and give them the opportunity to reach both their academic and professional goals."
    4-H is a program of AgriLife Extension, part of the Texas A&M System. Currently, the AgriLife Extension office in Bexar County administers more than 65 4-H clubs throughout the county totaling almost 3,000 members. Annually, more than 26,500 area youth participate in a variety of programs and activities offered through county 4-H clubs.
    San Antonio Livestock Exposition provided funding for 12 four-year scholarships for 4-H'ers in the amount of $16,000. They were awarded to recent high school graduates planning to pursue a degree in agriculture, agribusiness, life sciences or a related field.
    "SALE is an organization comprised of thousands of volunteers and is rooted in agriculture and committed to the education of the youth of Texas," said Tony Magaro, chairman of the organization’s scholarship committee. "We’re glad to have the opportunity as part of our mission to contribute toward the education of some of the finest young people in the nation. From 1984 to the present, SALE's contribution toward youth education in Texas has exceeded $105 million."
    Additional scholarship funding was provided by additional sources, including the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Foundation.
    Exposition scholarships were awarded using criteria including academic ability, 4-H project work, demonstrated leadership abilities and level of service to the community, said Greg Myles, agent for 4-H and youth development for Bexar County. 4-H Foundation scholarships were based on criteria that included overall 4-H experience, academic record and financial need.
    "We worked with area clubs and organizations to identify the most deserving high school seniors from area 4-H programs to compete for all of these scholarships," Myles said. "Then a panel of scholarship judges evaluated and interviewed candidates to ensure they meet or exceeded standards established to earn the scholarship for which they have applied."
    This year's SALE scholarship recipients and their respective 4-H clubs are: Chris Barber and Andrew Tarpley, Team K; Jackie Binder, Haven; Miranda Cordts, Oak Valley; Kaci DeCock, Health Careers; Moriah Jones, Encino; Elizabeth LaBranche-Brander, Southside; Joshua LaField, Helotes; Alexandria Luschnath, Bexar County 4-H Horse; Dustin Rainoasek, St. Hedwig; Brittany Vasquez, Northeast; and Shelby Williams, Leon Valley.
    Some of the academic areas these recipients will be pursuing include pre-veterinary medicine, engineering, environmental science, animal science, biology and nursing.
    Scholarship recipients also will be recognized at the annual 4-H Awards Program to take place from 7-9 p.m. on Aug. 13 at the Helotes Activity Center, 12132 Leslie Rd. in Helotes.
    Along with scholarship announcements, the program will include recognition of 4-H Clover Kids; Honor Club awards; Rookie, Bronze, Silver and Gold Star awards; "I Dare You" and "Gift of Time" awards; as well as scrapbook, horse, method demonstration proficiency and volunteer leader recognition awards. It also will include announcement of 4-H adult-leader officers and installation of 2010-2011 Bexar County 4-H Council officers.
    "These 4-H award winners and scholarship recipients represent the best and brightest from area 4-H programs," said Lupe Landeros, director for the AgriLife Extension office in Bexar County. "They embody the four H’s which are heart, head, hands and health – and live them each day. Now we are glad to have the opportunity to give them some recognition in return for all their hard work and efforts to help others in the community."